Archive for month: August, 2015

It’s no secret that Alaska is an endless expanse of breathtaking vistas and gorgeous natural wonders. When you’re driving through the state in your Alaska car rentals, you’ll get an idea of the beauty of the countryside, but there’s nothing better than experiencing the land on a more personal basis.

The Wood-Tikchik state park is a perfect example of Alaska’s landscape. If you’re looking at getting a one-on-one relationship with Alaska, it’s time to park the Alaska car rentals and take a trip through the Wood-Tikchik.

Picking your trip

Depending on the sort of traveler you are, there are a variety of ways to see the Wood-Tikchik. The Wood-Tikchik Park is 1.6 million acres, making it the largest state park in all of the United States. If you aren’t much of a wilderness camper, then your best bet will be to park the Alaska car rentals in a nearby lot and take a day trip.

A daylong canoe trip down the river will give you a wonderful opportunity to see the sights of the Wood-Tikchik Park. Pack the canoe with a lunch for your day, including a few bottles of water. You’ll see wildlife in its natural settings, and be able to fish along the river in peace. Plan your route in advance so that you don’t end up stuck in the middle of a river after sundown. Make sure you can always find your way back to your Alaska car rentals, regardless of where you are on the river. Bringing along a map of the area is a smart idea.

If you are more willing to go on an extended camping trip, be certain to pack bear mace just in case. You’ll see bears, waterfowls, moose, caribou, and beavers along the route, as well as many other creatures you’d never see otherwise. There are plenty of camping spots along the river that you can camp on, including a lodge.

Make sure to be aware of the rapids! You’re likely to get wet while you travel through these. Be ready to walk your canoe through them if the water is shallow enough.

Park the Alaska car rentals and take a float trip

Float trips in the river are rather common. Participants float down the river on rafts to their campsites. However, if you’re going to float for a camping trip, you’ll need a permit for $100. Lakes that require permits include Nisklik, Upnuk, Slate, and Chikuminuk. Also be aware that certain campsites on the Upper Tikchik Lakes require camping permits.

Remember you can only camp on a single site for a maximum of 10 days. However, that doesn’t mean that you must end your camping trip. If you want to continue your camping trip after 10 days, all you need to do is float an extra mile up the river.

If you want to have a fire on your trip, make sure to keep it only to gravel bars, state park provided fire pits, or beaches along the way.

Make sure to pack the screen and spray

Two of the most important things you can pack are the bug spray and sunscreen. The bugs are certainly not forgiving – nor is the sun. Unless you want to come back to civilization covered in bug bites and coated in peeling sunburn, reapply both screen and spray every two or three hours. When you’re hiking the trails or canoeing down the river, you’re going to be exposed to more sun than you’re likely used to.

Keep equipment protected

Keep your rafts and kayaks safe. Bears and porcupines damage these easily, so make sure to cover them up with a sturdy tarp.

Food is also important to keep away from the rest of your campsite. Coolers will give off enough scents to attract bears, so your best bet is a scent-proof food barrel. To be safe, keep this barrel a small distance away from your tent.

August isn’t always a cheap time to travel, but there are myriad ways you can experience Alaska at the end of the summer without spending too much money. You’re already saving money when you reserve your Alaska car rentals from Avis, but there are many other opportunities for continued savings. After mid-August, you’ll find prices on tours begin to drop. This all has to do with the peak travel and tourism season.

When is peak season?

Peak season runs from around mid-June to mid-August. At this point, tours, hotels, and other activities will be at their most expensive rates. Following the mid-August peak, you’ll find “shoulder season” will begin. This means discounts of roughly 10 – 25% on most travel expenses.

August and September climates

August climates are reasonable, but can be unpredictable. Throughout August there’s a 50% chance of rain, with a high of 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime hours. September begins to cool down by about 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

September climates, as mentioned, are a little cooler – which may not be such a bad thing. The cooler nights freeze the mosquitoes so that you’ll have fewer bugs to deal with on your trip. August is also a great time to hike, as the ground tends to be harder and dry rather than sticky and wet.

The Denali Backcountry Lodge

If you want to see the sites of Alaska in the wilderness, right on Wonder Lake at the bottom of the Denali National Park and Preserve you’ll find the Denali Backcountry Lodge. While there are a few different lodges you could stay in while visiting the park, if you’re looking to save money in September then the Denali Backcountry Lodge is the one for you. On September 3-4 and 10-12 you’ll be able to take advantage of the 50% off discount on the second night of your stay. Book quickly, as spots in the lodge will be taken before you can blink.

Drive your Alaska car rentals straight down the road in Denali National Park and you’ll find the lodge. From there, you’ll want to park the Alaska car rentals and get out to enjoy the landscape. August and September are perfect months for hiking.

Cruise deals

September and August are also great times to take an Alaskan cruise. Many cruises offer discounts throughout the end of the summer season, with savings that can be as much as $200.

Cruises are a great way to see the scenery around Alaska that you won’t be able to see if you’re land locked. While Alaska car rentals are an amazing method for land exploration, you won’t see quite as many of the water wonders as you will while on a cruise.

The Kenai Fjords National Park

If you want a little deal for Alaska tours, check out the “room with a cruise” package in the Kenai Fjords Tours. Get a 10% off discount on a park cruise and accommodations at the Seward Windsong Lodge from September 1-15 and at the Hotel Seward downtown from September 16 to 30.

Also in the Kenai Fjords, from September 1 to 6, the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is offering a 2-for-1 special for meals, activities, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. This price includes boat transportation to and from the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Kennicott Glacier Lodge

The Kennicott Glacier Lodge has a deal of only $99 per night beginning August 27 and running through until September 13. This deal includes their “mountain view” rooms, which will offer sights over the mountains and lakes. Once settled in, take a hike in the old mining camps or raft over the clear waters next to the lodge.

Most of these spots are easy to get to in your Alaska car rentals. You’ll have no struggle seeing the best of Alaska with these deals. Begin exploring the Alaskan landscape with reservations from Avis for your Alaska car rentals.

Alaska may be isolated from the rest of the states but that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s a desolate land. There are plenty of exciting, fun activities to take part in, both within the landscape and on a social level. In fact, your Alaska car rentals will never stop running as you race from place to place. But first, check out the Alaska State Fair. This event only lasts for 6 days, from September 7th to 12th.

Not sure what’s at the state fair, or if it’s worth popping by in your Alaska car rentals? Let’s see if we can convince you. This fair has plenty to offer any one who stops by for a visit.

Where and when is the fair?

As mentioned, the fair starts on September 7th. From Monday to Friday, the fair begins at noon and ends at 10 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the festival is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Labor Day, hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The fair takes place on the Glenn Highway at mile 40. To get there, you’ll have to drive your Alaska car rentals about one hour north of Anchorage.

Parking Alaska car rentals at the fair

The fair has four entrance gates in total, all of which have access for your Alaska car rentals in their lots. There are three parking lots in total, at the Purple, Red, and Yellow gates. The Green Gate is only a drop-off and pick-up zone so don’t plan to park your vehicle here. The Green Gate is free to enter.

Parking fees vary depending on whether you’re getting seasonal or daily, or premier or regular parking. The daily parking fee for Alaska car rentals and trucks is $5, while premier daily parking is $25. Seasonal car and truck parking is $25, or $125 for premier. All lots are handicap accessible.

Exhibits at the State Fair

There are plenty of exhibits at the State Fair that range from arts and crafts to agriculture and carpentry. Exhibits include art, canning, crops, clay arts, baked goods, fiber and fleece, quilts, rabbits, sewing, livestock, honey and beekeeping, handwork and needlework, flowers, photography, poultry, woodworking, and spirited beverages and soda.

As you can see, these exhibits and vendors will make sure you are well fed and watered while you walk around to enjoy the creative sides of Alaska. You’ll want to keep your wallet loaded with cash so you don’t miss out on a thing! By the end of the day, your Alaska car rentals will be full of goods.

Cooking contests at the fair

The “Just for Kids” Cookie Contest and Homemade “Fruit or Berry” Pie Contest have already passed in the last few weeks of August, but there are plenty more to come. On September 5th, the Yeast Breads Contest will judge breads with whole grain ingredients based on taste, texture, creativity, and presentation. Prizes include $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd. Entries must be entered between 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., and judging will take place at 7 p.m.

The Cheesecake Contest takes place on September 6th, and accepts either sweet or savory entries. If you’re entering, you must choose between sweet or savory, as only one entry per person is allowed.

As with the Yeast Breads Contest, enter your cheesecake in the contest between 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. for judging at 7 p.m. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are the same as with the Yeast Breads contest. In both contests, all three winners will also be given a ribbon.

Drive to the state fair in style when you reserve your Alaska car rentals with Avis Alaska today.